Friday Bolts – 5.7.10

Chad Ford put out his first round mock yesterday and like many, he had OKC taking Florida State big man Solomon Alabi: “The Thunder continue to lack a legitimate low-post threat. They drafted B.J. Mullens to be that guy last year, but he’s still a work in progress. Alabi will be, too, but at this point in the draft, he has too much size and upside to pass on.” He has OKC taking Devin Ebanks with the second first rounder.

Also, Chad Ford in his chat yesterday on Bosh to OKC: “I’ve been writing about this for a while. I think the media are finally picking up on this. I think he’s the perfect fit there, he’s close to home and paired with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, he’d have a great chance of winning a title. Some people tell me he won’t do it because he doesn’t want to play second fiddle to KD. But if that’s the case, he isn’t joining LeBron or Wade either.” (h/t reader Ryan, who also asked Ford the question)

Tim Kawakami with his No-Defense squad, with a lot of praise for Kevin Durant: “Did the Thunder consciously give Durant more help, and put extra pressure on Green? I don’t think so. Not from what I saw. I think Durant’s rise as a defender caused opponents to send more at Green, and the numbers show that Green could not handle it. Green has slow feet, no doubt, and I saw several games when he didn’t contest very well at the rim–though he was OK against the Lakers in the playoff series in that regard. The stunner: OKC gave up 107.7 points per 100 possessions when Green played, and only 97.7 when he didn’t. That 10-point differential is the largest I could find among main-rotation players, and it’s a number only touched upon in previous recent years by Eddy Curry and assorted Memphis players.”

Everybody wants to use some team from the past as a warning to the Thunder. The Baby Bulls, the Hornets and now Frank Hughes is drawing comparisons to the 1997 Washington Bullets. I think people are doing this because they desperately want to see this team stick together: “Durant and the rest of his Thunder teammates seem to be more grounded, in part because Presti has done a fine job of piecing together disparate parts that complement each other nicely. However, it doesn’t take much to upset the delicate balance. The Thunder will likely offer Durant a lengthy and lucrative contract extension this summer. But what about Jeff Green, the fifth pick in 2007 draft, who, according to sources, isn’t optimistic about his chance to grow as a player in the shadow of Durant, a dynamic that will only continue if he remains an undersized power forward with the Thunder?”

I thought this was a solid column from Bleacher Report on where Jeff Green fits with the Thunder: “Here’s where it gets sticky: Green’s on the record as saying he’d like to try and sign a contract extension with the Thunder this summer as well. If Green’s willing to sign for something around the mid-level exception [he made $3.5 million this year, $4.5 next year, and has a qualifying offer of $5.9 million in 2011-12] for the next five seasons, he’ll be able to remain with OKC, and the Thunder will have the luxury of figuring out how to best utilize Green’s talents, maybe he’ll turn into a deadly sixth man? But if Green’s hoping for a contract along the lines of $10 million/year…he’ll likely be forced to search elsewhere, given OKC’s cap situation.”

@Keith</theres no doubt Minny are more hot on moving jefferson then love but jefferson is going to be hard to move, and with his injury history teams are not going to trade vaulable pieces at his hefty salary until he proves he can consistently be that 25ppg scorer again. THe Jeff Green trade seems viable? maybe throw in our 2nd 1st round pick and an additional 2nd rounder?? im sure Presti has something rolled up his sleeve for draft time? or heres an another interesting one?? I LOVEEEE james harden but, even trading him for Kevin Love works? then we draft James anderson, he can get to the cup, stroke the 3 and he becomes the fan favorite james was?

@ThundaDownundaI think the prevailing sentiment is that Minny would move Jefferson before Love. Jefferson makes 3 times as much, has not been the same since injury, and is not a good fit with the triangle offense. Love, on the other hand, is a passing PF who buys into whatever his role is meant to be on the team. If Jefferson doesn't return to form (which he may very well do given the amount of time needed to truly recover from knee injuries), he is less useful to a rebuilding team that constantly loses money in ticket and merch sales.

I think Love has the perfect game to fit with our team (assuming we work on offense no matter who we get). I would offer more for him than I would Jefferson.

People project that we need Bosh, or that we shouldve got Milsap or lee last year, but i dont think we need anyone, maybe a change in the roster. Its obvious that Jeff Green is not a 4, why not trade him to Minnesota for Kevin Love? Love projects to be a solid 15ppg 12rpg player with good minutes behind him. PLus he played at UCLA with Russ so he should slide right into the inner freindship circle with KD and JH as well. Then minnesota has a five of flynn, brewer, green, jefferson and Cousins?? not a bad 5 if you ask me, and we get the solid PF we've longed for. what do you think?

@GregI think it is an ill advised attempt to reach the people. Not really a diva mentality, just someone who's never really had the spotlight before. I mean, anyone who really thinks he's staying seems crazy (a quality team has never been built around him). Think about you for a moment. You've been working for a company going under for your entire career. All of a sudden you get a job offer from half a dozen other companies, all promising raises, better benefits, and better work environments. They are offering everything you've been looking for in a career.

Wouldn't you want to talk it over with your current employees, get some ideas from your friends (fans)? In a very simple example, he's not doing anything a normal person wouldn't. But, because of the scope of his situation, it's a lot harder to go about that, a lot harder to make the right decision.

Dragic is the man! I love his stop on a dime in the paint, spin move, layup combo. He pulled that one on us in OKC the first time they came to town. Solid move. Can't believe he doesn't travel. Love watching him play.

Dragic and Pietrus are definitely on the first team of my fun to watch bench player all stars.

Bosh changed his location on Twitter from "Toronto", to "everywhere". And removed the stuff about the Raptors on his "about me" or whatever. Yet he said later on that it was no indication that he was leaving.

With all these Twitter tricks CB is pulling, wondering how much of a diva he may really be.

I agree with your assessment of Durant but there were a few times I remember him taking Ibaka aside and barking at him. And of course there was the time he got hot with Westbrook. I think he's falling into that role but like the rest of those guys he's a hard worker and his example on and off the court means so much as the best player on the team...

@SammyI think it would look a lot like New Jersey this year. Noah and Horford on the boards, with a nice backup in Speights, but there simply wouldn't be any scoring. No PG, no SG, no SF worth anything. Noah and Horford simply aren't that good without Derrick Rose (Noah) or Joe Johnson (Horford) carrying the offensive load. Might be decent on defense.

@EveryoneDo you feel Durant is that MJ, Magic, Bird, Lebron-kind of leader? He isn't yet. But do you think he ever will be the type to get in his teammates' faces when they aren't playing right? Right now I think he looks much more like a Kobe leader - focused so intently on being the absolute best he can possibly be that others fall in line behind even if he isn't really "leading" - than like the greats.

@KevI guess I just don't hold that against him. He is who he is: a fantastic basketball player, dependable in big moments, and not much of a leader. It's a fault of his like turnovers are a fault of Durant's. Would I want him on Melo? Hell yes, but I'd want other players and/or coaches that I could depend on to stay in line.

If Melo had a stronger personality and demanded more of his teammates, wouldn't his team look different? It seems like either his current teammates would have more discipline or they would've been traded since they weren't on board the Melo train.

Do I see JR Smith or Kenyon Martin changing their ways because of hypothetical-leader-Carmelo? No. But I don't think they'd still be on the team either.

But he's not that way. He's a sponge and he soaks up the influence of the people around him instead of forcing it to be the other way around. So, it's up to management entirely and Melo escapes culpability; it's up to the NBA nerds to decide how much of the blame he should have.

Jordan would run off players that didnt step up - so you wouldnt have that "laughing when down by ten nonsense" to which Justin referred. That is what separates guys like Jordan, Kobe, Russell, etc, from pretenders like Melo, Iverson, McGrady, Carter, etc . . .

I am not blaming him for the loss - but Melo is not a leader, period. and of course Jordan elevates this team to a title for multiple reasons - main reason that J R Smith wouldne even still be on the team if he didnt step up - Jordan would have run him off long ago . . .

@KevJordan was >>>> Melo, I don't think anyone is arguing that. '90-91 Jordan probably elevates this Nuggets team to a title. I don't see how you hold that against Melo, though. People are talking about Melo like it's his fault the Nuggets lost, and I find that unfair since he's the only one that showed up. Is he able to lead the team and keep them together by himself? No, but I don't think that reason to castigate him.

justin :The Nuggets should have been a better team than they were last season. They added a better backup point guard and basically kept the same team. But their players just didn’t bring the same effort and I think they don’t work as hard as they should. J.R. Smith had a horrible year and nobody could rein him in, Kenyon Martin regressed, Chris Andersen regressed. Carmelo had a decent season by his standards but he’s not the type of leader to hold his teammates accountable.There was a game late in the year I watched of theirs and JR Smith was 1-7 from three point range or something and laughed about it with ‘Melo. The team was losing by 10+ points in the second half and they were just mulling around in the huddle joking around. A team leader doesn’t let his teammates do that. He has to lead by example…

The Nuggets should have been a better team than they were last season. They added a better backup point guard and basically kept the same team. But their players just didn't bring the same effort and I think they don't work as hard as they should. J.R. Smith had a horrible year and nobody could rein him in, Kenyon Martin regressed, Chris Andersen regressed. Carmelo had a decent season by his standards but he's not the type of leader to hold his teammates accountable.

There was a game late in the year I watched of theirs and JR Smith was 1-7 from three point range or something and laughed about it with 'Melo. The team was losing by 10+ points in the second half and they were just mulling around in the huddle joking around. A team leader doesn't let his teammates do that. He has to lead by example...

@Mark!I believe personality and team cohesiveness are absolutely important. MJ's drive, competitiveness, and leadership have a lot to do with his title as GOAT. In a series between two closely matched teams, it can be the difference maker. But in the end, basketball is a team game that's dependent on so many different variable. Put Melo in a different situation – a well coached team with a great supporting cast and dependable 2nd and 3rd options – and there's no reason he couldn't win multiple rings. That he's not able to rally his knucklehead teammates (who were never really up to snuff, as far as championship level talent goes) should not be held against him, imo.

@Mark!I'd disagree with Jordan being the greatest of all time (me and justin have actually had that argument before), but I do agree that it was his force of will that got Chicago over the hump and kept them at the top. The thing I most respect about Jordan is his ability to be better at absolutely anything that he needed to win.

@justinI would be more upset with Chauncey, but he really was fantastic for the team last year, and all this year until Karl went down. Fact is, he was brought in simply to be a true, facilitating PG, something he did much better than anyone Denver had in Melo's career. The fact that he become the leader of that team from the moment he walked on the court I think is extra-indicative of Melo's shortcoming. Melo wants to be the best player on the court, but he has never wanted to be the leader. There are so many instances where Melo had an incredible game but couldn't quite carry the team. There are almost no examples where Melo's game/force of will lifted his teammates to greater heights.

I'm not going to pretend like this is a science because it's not. There isn't a "force of personality" stat. There are only rings and opinions.

Bird, Magic, Jordan, Kobe, Russell, etcetc. They all have a lot of rings.

If you believe personal leadership isn't important and that the ultimate deciding factor is about good timing and good management, then there isn't a solid piece of evidence that will persuade you.

I think force of personality is important. Jordan is the greatest player of all time. It's true that he had a solid supporting cast and played with the greatest roleplayer of all time (IMO anyway). Is his supporting cast as good without his force of personality? How many rings does he win without it? Still 6? I don't think so, but that's my biased opinion on the topic.

Kobe is an exception; I didn't list him on purpose. He's always had the force of personality. I think we're seeing the impact of that these past few years, but he's passed his prime. He played his best years on someone else's team; Shaq leaving is more complicated than just handing the keys to Kobe. The adjustment takes time, and by the team management + teammates were ready to ride, Kobe's body's already logged a lot of minutes.

He has 2 Finals apparances, 1 ring and the Lakers are the odds on favorite to make the Finals again. It's his team. I give Kobe a lot more of the credit than Pau. But that's just me.

@Mark!Kobe has one of the most forceful personalities in the league, and if there's anyone who is credited for having the knack of 'finding a way to win,' it's him. But look at his career: he won rings with Shaq (and great supporting players), played on a mediocre team during his prime despite individually playing out of his mind, then got gifted Pau Gasol and went right back to winning a championship. How many of those rings came about due to his force of personality?

@Mark!Jordan played with a top 30 player of all time, some deadly 3-p shooters, and, later, Dennis Rodman. He was the greatest of all time, but he was also a pretty lucky guy. Magic and Bird played with many of the league's all-time greats. Every great champion requires a great supporting cast, great management, and a whole lot of luck.

I guess I just feel like basketball is a unique sport in regards to the amount of impact a single player can have.

If you make a list of all the best basketball players of all time, I find you can usually split them up into two categories:

1) Players that lucked into good situations

2) Player than made good situations

They're all talented; that goes without saying.

Some players end up on teams that have solid management and put the pieces around them to win; so long as they hold up their end up the deal and continue to be talented, they'll win. I'd put Wilt Chamberlain and Shaq in this category.

Some players end up on teams who may not have the most talent or the prototype pieces, but through sheer force of personality they will their teams to succeed. I'd put Bird, Jordan and late career Magic in this category.

Is Melo talented enough to win if he's put in the right situation? Yes.

If he never wins, should part of his legacy be his inability to influence his teammates for the better? Yes.

I think force of personality is an important trait in the NBA. Not many players have it, and some that do abuse it (Iverson for example.) It doesn't mean he's any less of a basketball player, but it does reduce his chances of winning a championship unless lady luck (or his agent) gives him a leg up.

'Melo needs George Karl. He needs a coach that's going to stay on his ass and get him to be that leader. Adrian Dantley is too soft a coach for him. You could see the attitudes on Denver completely change almost overnight when Karl left the team. The same way you saw the attitudes change when Karl took over the team and lead them to the playoffs his first year. I know he came to play and played well but he's not the kind of player that's going to hold his teammates accountable and lead them to anything on his own.

@Mark!Melo is who he is. Yes, he's kind of a clown, but he's also an intense competitor and completely dedicated to the game. It's just weird to me to blame him for his teammates poor performances. Yes, he's never won a title, and he very well might never. But he's also never had a supporting cast as awesome as Kobe's. There are a lot of great players that have never won a title, not because they were lesser competitors or lesser talents but because they just ran into better teams.

I agree about Derozan. I get that he's athletic, but our team desparately needs three point shooting. It kills me when people (like in the Simmons podcast or on this board) say that we should keep players X/Y/Z or that we should get players A/B/C, but none of those players shoot 3s. Then they say we need 3 point shooting. Our backcourt is packed. If we want a 3 point shooter -- and you don't think Harden will develop into the answer -- then someone has to go. Simple truth.

I think the Howard stuff had a lot more to do w/ him keeping Lebron from getting the unanimous MVP vote than anything about his actual performance in the playoffs. But it was a little silly.

I actually agree w/ what they had to say about Carmelo. He's a max deal, top 10 player in the league, best player on whatever team he ends up on. He absolutely has to be a leader and influence the players around him in a way that pushes them to succeed on the court. If he doesn't, then I don't think he'll ever win. And if he never wins, how does his career measure up in the end? With as gifted as he is, it would have to rank as one of the bigger disappointments, right?

If Melo wants to win, it's on him to push him team off the court and carry them on the court. If he just wants to be talented so someone will CTC, then he can keep doing what he's doing.

@Mark!DeRozan doesn't have 3p range, which we really need from our 2 guard. That podcast made me cringe multiple times. The ragging on Dwight Howard and Carmelo was idiotic. Carmelo was the only Nugget that showed up for that series. The Magic were the second best defensive team last year and that's nearly all because of what Howard does in the middle (and what that allows his teammates to do). So he didn't have the best first round; the Magic were still the only team to sweep their opponent.

I only mean it doesn't matter in the scheme of things. Giving up picks and players like Weaver or White is trivial. If it came down to it, we could cut $2M from our payroll by dropping Weaver and Shakur.

We're close enough to being able to offer the max that the details don't matter. We hit trouble carrying a second max contract a couple years out. All I'm saying.

I'm completely uninterested in the minor shuffling for next year. It would be difficult to screw up our cap situation in 2010-11. It's after that when things get tight.

@keithyeah if bosh takes 5 years, but because we would need to get him in a sign and trade he more then likely would get 6. Even at 95 that is 32% more expensive and bosh is not putting up that much better numbers.